Happy Mothers' Day
Greetings to everyone, and Happy Mothers' Day to all the moms!
This time of May is a convergence of birthdays and Mothers' Day. Of course, Xavier's birthday is numbered among the birthdays, but both his aunts have birthdays near his.
In the neighborhood this weekend, Penny, Rebecca's mother and Xavier's grandmother, flew in to celebrate Xavier's first year out of the womb. Chellie, Rebecca's sister, drove down from Fort Collins to join in the celebration. It was somewhat sad that Kathy, Xavier's other aunt, was not able to join us; however, she did join us for Christmas and again in February.
Since we had so much to celebrate, we broke it across two days. We celebrated the the two moms and Chellie's birthday Saturday by attending Cirque du Soleil's Varekai then dinner afterward. Xavier entertained a babysitter while we enjoyed ourselves on the northern side of town.
Sunday was all about Xavier, and he knew it! Penny and Chellie went out to pick up some last minute items. Dad had already decorated several rooms with helium-filled balloons the day before (Xavier likes balloons). Penny had shipped her gifts ahead of her, but the UPS Store shipped it to the wrong address: to our former Fort Collins address to be exact. As I type, the package is still in transit, but we hope to get it soon. Xavier scored clothes from Aunt Chellie, and his new "throne" from Grandma. Aunt Kathy shipped her gifts to Xavier in time to arrive on the 13th.
Of course, the tradition of giving a one-year old his first birthday cake was observed. Rebecca had Whole Foods make Xavier a little cake in the shape of a classical bee hive. With a single candle burning, the cake was presented to Xavier, who sat not in his throne, but in his high chair. Clothed in only a diaper, he did not really know what to do, nor was he sure about doing anything at all. In the end, he was sufficiently covered in frosting. I will post his cake pictures Tuesday, his official birthday date.
We live about 2 miles from a European bakery which is too good with their, well, everything they bake. The owner makes cakes; you tell him the general details and he will fill in the rest. Never the same cake twice. Rebecca ordered a cake for her mom and Chellie, a layered, jelly-filled, marzipan-wrapped cake of chocolaty goodness. The three ladies of honor choose their territory to carve out.
Xavier sits on his new throne, which Grandma Pennty bought him. Already, the power has gone to Xavier's head as he holds court.
Xavier, after pulling the tissue paper from the bag, checks the tag to see if his new shirts will fit him (they do, or rather, they will soon).